US neutrality in the 1930's/ early 1940's:
1. Neutrality in Gerneral
- The acts were passed by the US in the 1930s in response to the issues in Europe and Asia that eventually led to WW2
- They were caused by the desire to be Isolationist in the US following WW1
- Passed to ensure that the US wouldn't become involved in world conflicts
- US had very strong history of isolationism
- Interventionists were for going into the war and Isolationists were not for going into the war
- trade that got us involved in WW1
Neutrality Act of 1935:
- banned US trade with countries at war because it pulls you into the war
- only lasted 6 months
- August of 1935
- declared not to travel on ships because they could get bombed
1936 Act:
- passed in February
- renew the conditions of the act of 1935
- didn't put restrictions on oil and trucks to Spanish on credit
- we gave oil to Italy, Japan, and other countries
- belligerents= country that is aggressive and trying to take over other countries
- couldn't loan money to the axis powers
- banned trade, and loans
1937 Act:
- could cover civil wars were included
- couldn't transfer people to other countries
- couldn't travel on belligerent country ships
- Cash and Carry system= anybody can come with their ships and pay cash up front and take what they bought back to their country
- GB and France benefited from this act
- FDR chose not to put it on Japan and China
- continued to trade with Japan and China
1939 Act:
- November 4, 1939 after Germany invaded Poland
- still did Cash and Carry system
- US couldn't enter war zones
Lend- Lease Act:
- US had to supply allied nations with materials
- $650 billion dollars was spent at that time (today $)
- started March 11, 1941
- before the Pearl Harbor attack
- didn't give the act to Germany
- suppliers of war
- gave mostly to GB
- German U- Boats or submarines
- US could attack German and Italian war ships
- war was imminent- the US knew that the war was going to happen soon
Bases for Destroyers:
- between US and GB
- in 1940
- US would send over destroyers, and GB would give naval bases in the Caribbean in return
Atlantic Charter:
- August 1941 before we were at war
- stated Ideal goals of war
- restoration of self government
- free access of raw materials
- defined the allied goals for the post- war
- freedom of fear and want
- freedom of the seas
- self determination
- no territorial gain
- abandon the use of force, disarmament and a stronger league of Nation
- free trade
- destruction of Nazis and then setting up a peaceful government in Germany
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